• HOME
  • ADVERTISE
  • ABOUT
    • PRIVACY POLICY
  • INSTAGRAM

LIFE ON SUMMERHILL

  • HOME DECOR IDEAS
    • BATHROOM
    • BEDROOM
    • DINING ROOM
    • EXTERIOR
    • KITCHEN
    • LAUNDRY
    • LIVING ROOM
    • PORCH
  • HOLIDAY DECOR IDEAS
    • CHRISTMAS
    • EASTER
    • FALL
    • HALLOWEEN
    • INDEPENDENCE DAY
    • MOTHER’S DAY
    • THANKSGIVING
    • VALENTINE
  • HOW TO
    • ACCESSORIZE
    • CREATE
    • DESIGN
    • ENTERTAIN
    • GARDEN
    • INSTALL
    • ORGANIZE
    • PAINT
  • ENTERTAIN
  • SHOP
    • SHOP AMAZON
    • SHOP FAVORITES
    • CURRENT FAVORITES
  • SUBSCRIBE

July 14, 2019 · 12 Comments

HOW TO PAINT WITH MILK PAINT

HOW TO· PAINT

  • Facebook 6
  • Twitter
  • Email

Here is a tutorial on how to paint with milk paint using the best milk paint brand on the market. Do you know that yummy old fashion paint finish on furniture at Grandma's house?  Well, that look is achieved with milk paint. 

How to paint with milk paint using Miss Mustard Seed paint

HOW TO PAINT WITH MILK PAINT

How to paint with milk paint is much easier than it looks.

There are so many milk paint brands out in the world, but I like Miss Mustard Seed's paint over others.  I will share more about why I think it is the best milk paint brand on the market at the bottom of this post.

Her paint has a long shelf life because it comes in a powder form. And her milk paint colors are AMAZING.

This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a commission if you purchase at no cost to you using the links below.  All opinions are all my own.

How to paint with milk paint using Miss Mustard Seed paint

Check out this roundup we did of furniture transformed with Miss Mustard Seed milk paint colors for some great ideas.

But instead of me trying to convince you about MMS paint follow along as I take you through a tutorial on how to paint with milk paint.

WINDSOR CHAIR STORY

Long before I decided to try out milk paint, I found this beat up Windsor chair on the side of the road along with its twin sister.  One chair gave its life for the other by giving up some of its parts to make the other one whole.

So now it is going to get a milk paint transformation and here are the steps, so you too can transform a piece of furniture with milk paint.

Black windsor chair that was repaired and ready to be painted with Miss Mustard Seed Paint.

SANDING THE CHAIR

To begin this project start with sanding your chair.  I like to use sandpaper on a sponge block.  A sponge block allows the sandpaper to mold around the edges.  And boy, there are many edges on a Windsor chair.

The most important thing is to sand any areas where the paint is coming up.  Make sure to get the area smooth.  I like to run my hand across it and feel to see if it is smooth after I sand it.  It helps me to determine if I have it level.

Prepping a painted Windsor chair with a sandpaper block in this how to paint with milk paint tutorial

Products from Amazon.com

WIPING OFF THE GRIT FROM THE SANDPAPER

Now the next step is relatively easy. Just dampen a paper towel and wipe down the chair.  Make sure the paper towel is barely damp.

Also, if your chair is dirty go ahead and give it a washing.  Then let it dry real good before the next step.

How to paint with milk paint over a painted chair tutorial

PRIMER

In the world of milk paint you do not always have to use primer, but in my case, this chair was peeling and shiny.  It was recommended to me by Jennifer at Eight Hundred Furniture to add in a primer step.

I am so glad she recommended this because not only did it help the milk paint adhere to the chair but the primer helped block the black color from running through the milk paint.

How to paint with milk paint over a painted chair using extreme bond primer by Sherwin Williams

So if you need a primer to consider look at Kilz 2 or Extreme Bond Primer by Sherwin Williams, I have to say the Extreme Bond Primer worked like a charm.

How to paint with milk paint over a painted chair using extreme bond primer by Sherwin Williams

Because this chair is black and milk paint is thin, you will probably need to add two coats of primer.

How to paint with milk paint over a painted chair using extreme bond primer by Sherwin Williams

MIXING MILK PAINT

Before we dive into mixing the paint, you're probably asking where to buy milk paint?  Well, you can purchase it on Amazon or go to Miss Mustard Seeds Website to find a list of retailers that might be close to you.

Okay, so now on to mixing the paint.  Remember me saying that milk paint has a long shelf life. Well, it comes in a powder form, so you need to mix it.  But please don't procrastinate on this step because it is super, super easy.

For my chair, I mixed a 1/4 cup of Ironstone milk powder, 1/4 cup of water and 1/4 cup of bonding agent.

How to mix Miss Mustard Seed milk paint

Start mixing the milk powder and water first.  Give it a good stir until you feel like all the clumps have dissolved.  Then add your bonding agent.  It is kind of like a runny glue and mixes in very easy.

See learning how to paint with milk paint is pretty easy.

How to mix Miss Mustard Seed milk paint

Now let the paint sit for about 5 minutes.  The paint sitting helps it to thicken a little, and now you are ready to paint.

PAINTING WITH MILK PAINT

Painting the milk paint was a little more tricky than expected.  Lightly add some paint to the end of your brush and tap it on the edge of the cup to move the paint downward.

Then apply it to the chair working from the top and moving your way down.  Make sure to check for drips as you go.  I worked on the drips with a dryer brush.

Milk paint is pretty forgiving so if you miss a drip go back over it with no problem.  However, if you let the drip sit too long, it will want to stay for a while.  So continually give all the edges a good look for those pesky drips.

How to paint with milk paint on a windsor chair in the color ironstone

Also, keep your stir stick in the cup while you are painting and stir it now and then to keep it blended.

How to paint with milk paint on a windsor chair in the color ironstone

Another detail I want to share is the brush I used.  For the primer, I used the cheap wood handle brush.  But for the milk paint, I went with the short handle Wooster synthetic brush.  I found it help onto the paint easier and moved the paint onto the chair nicely.

Products from Amazon.com

How to paint with milk paint using a Wooster paint brush

ONE COAT OF MILK PAINT

Here is an example of how one coat of the Ironstone milk paint looks.  As you can see I need to add another layer.

How to paint with milk paint showing the first layer of primer

SECOND COAT OF MILK PAINT

Now add another coat of milk paint after letting the first coat dry for an hour or so.  It doesn't take long for the paint to dry so you can add another layer.  Here is a photo of the second coat and honestly I think it dries less and less transparent.  How to paint with milk paint is truly so easy!

How to paint with milk paint showing the second layer of milk paint

FINISHED PRODUCT

I have to say I have fallen in love with the Miss Mustard Seed milk paint.  Teaching you all how to paint with milk paint was so easy thanks to Jennifer and Miss Mustard Seeds videos on YouTube.

How to paint with milk paint showing the second layer of milk paint

I cannot get over how beautiful this chair is now.

How to paint with milk paint revealing the finished beautiful ironstone white windsor chair using Miss Mustard Seed milk paint

The milk paint color we used is Ironstone.  It is a beautiful creamy white!

How to paint with milk paint revealing the finished beautiful ironstone white windsor chair using Miss Mustard Seed milk paint

The chair is so pretty until all I wanted to do was style it instead of sitting in it.  Just happens I got this candle and pillow recently so I think it has found a new home for a while until the chair will end up at my daughters' desk.

How to paint with milk paint tutorial. Photo styled with Antique Candle Works candle, and so the adventure begins pillow, currier and ives cup and saucer and blue and white stripe dish towel

Products from Amazon.com

CONCLUSION

Overall I highly recommend the Miss Mustard Seed milk paint.  There are many beautiful milk paint colors to choose from like Eulalie's Sky, French Enamel, Layla's Mint, and Aviary.  I have not tried other milk paint brands, but MMS seems to be of good quality.

How to paint with milk paint using Miss Mustard Seed paints and other products
 

PAINTING TIPS

I did run out of paint towards the end.  I grabbed a tablespoon of powder, water and bonding agent and mixed up some more right in the jar I was using.

Also, let me encourage you to put the piece of furniture on a table.  It saves your back and because the chair is elevated it is easier to see the drips.

And last, don't forget a drop cloth.  You will for sure need it for this project because this milk paint is drippy.  Or at least my paint was drippy.  Haha!

Here is a recap of the steps on how to paint with milk paint over a painted piece of furniture.

  • Begin by sanding over the existing paint.  Paint carefully in areas where the existing paint is coming up
  • Remove dust from sanding with a damp paper towel or tack cloth (clean the chair if needed at this step)
  • Brush on primer starting at the top and move your way down
  • Add another coat of primer if the first coast doesn't cover well
  • Mix milk paint and add the bonding agent
  • Brush first layer milk paint onto chair working from the top and move down (watch for drips)
  • Brush the second layer of milk paint if needed.  Most likely you will need two unless you like the look

I hope you have enjoyed this DIY and I hope you try out milk paint to get that delicious vintage painted look.

Since this post went live we have lived with our milk painted chair for a while now.  The paint has stayed on the piece of furniture beautifully.  I have no complaints and only good things to say about MMS paint.  I do believe it is the best milk paint brand.

Happy Decorating!

Ready Set Paint: A step by step guide to all things paint.

Discover a strategy to pick a paint color you will love.  Read my privacy policy here.

Thank you!

You have successfully joined our subscriber list.

.


If you enjoyed these ideas, please sign up for emails, so you don’t miss out on more fun decorating tips and ideas HERE

  • Facebook 6
  • Twitter
  • Email
« MACRAME HOME DECOR IDEAS FOR THE CRAFTY AND THE DECORATORS
13 WAYS CHICKEN NESTING BOXES CAN MAKE A FARMHOUSE FABULOUS »

Comments

  1. Jacqueline Escolme says

    August 6, 2018 at 9:24 AM

    Fascinating! Didn’t even know there was such a thing as milk paint – thank you. Beautiful photography 🙂

    Reply
    • Linda McDonald says

      August 6, 2018 at 11:35 AM

      Thank you!

      Reply
  2. Beth Havey says

    August 6, 2018 at 5:03 PM

    I love posts like this. What a lovely result. I have purchased milk paint and used it, but I bought Annie’s which did not require mixing powder. It was all ready to go. Loved all your tips.

    Reply
  3. Emily says

    June 12, 2020 at 11:06 AM

    So, the furniture I have has already been painted with dark-grey milk paint. I want to repaint it with white milk paint, should I sand it and prime it? Or is that not necessary?

    Reply
    • Linda McDonald says

      June 14, 2020 at 9:40 AM

      Great questions. I have never painted over milk paint so I asked a friend who has painted over milk paint. This is what she suggests.

      “If she doesn’t want the gray to show underneath, then she should scuff sand, and use our bonding agent to ensure that the white does not chip away and reveal the gray underneath.

      If she starts to get bleed through, then she will need to stop the process and prime.

      It’s kind of a touch and go situation. She needs to see what works and adjust if necessary.”

      I hope this helps.

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. OUTDOOR FALL DECOR WITH A LITTLE SOMETHING S'MORE | LIFE ON SUMMERHILL says:
    August 9, 2018 at 6:13 AM

    […] Pumpkins and white milk paint (using Miss Mustard Seed paint from chair project) […]

    Reply
  2. BENCH REFRESH THAT WILL MAKE YOU SMILE | LIFE ON SUMMERHILL says:
    September 14, 2018 at 11:41 AM

    […] It just happened while I was trying to decide what to do with it’s feet I discovered an old Windsor chair discarded on the side of the road.  One of the Windsor chairs received a whole new refinish using milk paint. […]

    Reply
  3. How to Paint with Chalk Paint on Furniture | LIFE ON SUMMERHILL says:
    January 8, 2019 at 9:54 PM

    […] honestly, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on chalk paint and see how it fairs from milk paint.   And without giving a spoiler alert let’s jump right into how to paint with chalk paint […]

    Reply
  4. 10 Best Home Decor Magazines that will make your Decorating Easier says:
    January 10, 2019 at 2:04 PM

    […] I have gotten some great inspiration from decor magazines from gardening to painting projects. […]

    Reply
  5. UNIQUELY USING CHALK PAINT AROUND YOUR HOME | LIFE ON SUMMERHILL says:
    January 29, 2019 at 11:12 PM

    […] Milk paint is different from chalk paint but gives a similar look. If you’re interested in seeing how to paint with milk paint, we show you how over on this how to paint with milk paint post. […]

    Reply
  6. GRATEFUL THANKSGIVING TABLE DECORATIONS DIY TO TRY says:
    May 18, 2019 at 3:11 PM

    […] 2 x 8 piece of wood painted with milk paint (tutorial on how to paint with milk paint) […]

    Reply
  7. HOW TO BUILD A FARMHOUSE TABLE THE CHEAP AND EASY WAY says:
    October 22, 2019 at 4:15 PM

    […] for tips on how to paint furniture check out my how to paint with chalk paint and how to paint with milk paint. Soon I will share how I painted this cheap and easy farmhouse table for the […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

HELLO!

My name is Linda and I am the person behind Life on Summerhill. I am so glad you came to join us and hope you get loads and loads of home decor ideas to make your house a better home!

Linda - Life on Summerhill

Let’s Connect!

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Copyright © 2021 · captivating theme by Restored 316